Isabelle wiped her forehead, her fingers brushing away strands of black hair sticking to her skin as she crouched next to Azzy. The little Azurill panted lightly, her tail bobbing behind her as if asking for a break after the latest Bubble attempt.

  “Alright, Missy,” Isabelle said, holding her hands up in surrender. “Let’s take five. I need to regroup before my brain melts.” She flopped onto the grass, staring at the scattered training equipment she’d brought. “Who knew getting a Bubble Beam to work would feel like solving a Kalosian puzzle box?”

  Azzy chirped in agreement, curling her tail into a makeshift cushion. Isabelle tilted her head back to look at the fountain nearby, letting the bubbling sound drown out her growing frustration. She was so lost in thought that she almost didn’t register the voice calling her name.

  “Isabelle?”

  Her head snapped up. A familiar figure strolled toward her, a bright smile lighting up her face as a Floette floated gracefully beside her.

  “Amélie?” Isabelle blinked, sitting up straighter. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing!” Amélie said, planting her hands on her hips with mock indignation. “I didn’t think I’d find you, of all people, out here... training.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured dramatically. “Who are you, and what have you done with my Isabelle?”

  Isabelle groaned, pushing herself to her feet. “I’m not your Isabelle,” she muttered, brushing dirt off her joggers. “And yes, I’m training. Big deal.”

  “Big deal?!” Amélie exclaimed, ignoring the sarcasm. “This is a big deal! I thought you were all talk about maybe, someday, thinking about starting training. But look at you, out here in the wild!” She gestured toward Azzy, who chirped happily and waved her tail at Floette.

  Floette drifted closer, twirling gently as if greeting Azzy with a dance. Azzy bounced on her tail, squeaking excitedly.

  Amélie crouched to meet Azzy’s gaze. “And look at you, Miss Azzy. You’re such a hardworking little thing, aren’t you?” She turned her attention back to Isabelle, grinning. “Alright, spill. What are you working on?”

  “Bubble Beam,” Isabelle admitted, scratching the back of her neck. “Or, well, trying to. It’s... not going great.”

  Amélie tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. “Not going great? Why? Azzy seems like a natural.”

  Isabelle sighed, gesturing vaguely toward the target she’d set up. “She’s got Bubble down, but she just stares at me like I’m speaking Unown when I ask for Bubble Beam.”

  Amélie’s expression shifted as her lips twitched with suppressed laughter. “Wait. Say that again. What exactly do you say?”

  “I say, ‘Azzy, Bubble Beam!’” Isabelle replied, raising her hand to mimic her usual command. “What’s wrong with—” She stopped mid-sentence, noticing Amélie’s grin. “What?”

  Amélie burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she straightened. “Oh, Isabelle, you sweet summer child. You’re splitting it!”

  “Splitting what?” Isabelle frowned, crossing her arms.

  “The command!” Amélie said, still giggling. “You’re saying it like it’s two separate things—‘Bubble’ and ‘Beam.’ Azzy probably thinks you’re just making up words.”

  Isabelle blinked, the realization hitting her like a Confuse Ray. “You’re kidding me. That’s why?”

  Amélie nodded, her grin widening. “It’s one word—‘Bubblebeam.’ Try it!”

  Isabelle looked down at Azzy, who was now watching the exchange with a tilted head. She cleared her throat, raising her hand to point at the target. “Azzy, Bubblebeam!”

  Azzy squeaked, her mouth glowing faintly before releasing a small stream of bubbles that hit the edge of the target. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.

  Isabelle’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? That’s all it took?”

  “See? Easy peasy!” Amélie said, throwing an arm around Isabelle’s shoulder. “You’ve got this, Isabelle. Just needed a little expert advice.”

  Before Isabelle could respond, a commotion erupted nearby. Shouts of alarm carried through the park, drawing the attention of both girls.

  “Hey! My wallet’s gone!”

  “Where’s my bracelet?!”

  “Someone stop that thief!”

  Isabelle turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the park. A small, agile shadow darted between the trees, moving too quickly to get a clear look. The only thing she caught was a glint of something metallic in its paw—or was it a claw?

  “What was that?” Isabelle muttered, her heart racing.

  “It’s heading this way!” Amélie said, pointing toward the path near the fountain.

  Isabelle’s hand instinctively flew to her bag as the shadow darted past, a metallic jingle cutting through the air. Her heart sank as her fingers found empty space where her beloved keychain had been. She spun around, catching just a glimpse of the thief vanishing into the trees.

  “No way,” she muttered, her voice rising in disbelief. “My keychain! That was Li Li Lo Porita!”

  Amélie blinked, her eyebrows raising. “Li Li who now?”

  “Li Li Lo Porita!” Isabelle repeated, the panic clear in her voice. “Magical girl of justice, savior of the innocent, protector of the cosmos! She fights monsters, aces her math tests, and takes care of her pet Togepi! You know—Li Li Lo Porita!”

  Amélie’s mouth opened, but before she could reply, she gasped sharply, clutching her wrist. “Wait—what?! That little sneak took my VireBand chain!”

  Isabelle’s head whipped around. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah! It was custom!” Amélie held up her wrist to show the bare band, looking equal parts annoyed and impressed. “I mean, sure, it’s not magical girl memorabilia, but do you know how long it took me to make that? It was handcrafted! Hours, Isabelle. Hours of carefully braiding and beading to make something unique.”

  Isabelle groaned, tugging at her hair. “Oh, great. So now we’ve both been robbed by a fashion-conscious Purrloin with sticky paws.”

  Amélie gave a wry grin. “Guess that’s what friends are for, huh? Sharing in each other’s misery.” She crouched to Floette’s level, the Pokémon looking just as determined as her Trainer. “Alright, Floette, ready to track down a crafty little thief?”

  Floette twirled her flower like a battle flag, her expression brimming with resolve.

  Isabelle shook her head, trying to steady her thoughts. “If that Purrloin thinks it can just snatch Li Li Lo Porita, they’re in for a rude awakening. That’s not just some random trinket—it’s a piece of my childhood! And yours is—uh, well—handcrafted artistry.”

  Amélie placed a hand on Isabelle’s shoulder, her hazel eyes sparkling with encouragement. “Don’t worry, we’re getting them both back. You know, magical girl justice and all.”

  Before they could move, a sudden shout interrupted them.

  “Wait! Hey—you two!”

  Both girls turned to see two boys rushing toward them. One was slightly heavier in build, his face flushed red from running, while the other was taller and leaner, panting as though he’d just finished a marathon. They both skidded to a stop a few feet away, looking wide-eyed and somewhat awkward.

  The shorter boy, catching his breath, managed to say, “Did... did you see a Purrloin? It just—it just ran this way!”

  The taller boy nodded, though he seemed hesitant, his gaze darting between Isabelle and Amélie before settling on the ground. “It—it stole from us. A bunch of stuff... my watch, and his wallet.”

  Amélie raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to Isabelle and whispering, “Are they... afraid of talking to girls?”

  Isabelle stifled a laugh despite the situation. “They’re the ones who just got robbed,” she whispered back. “Cut them some slack.”

  The shorter boy glanced up, his face flushing deeper. “You, uh, didn’t see it? Right? Like, running by here?”

  “We did,” Amélie said, stepping forward with a confidence that seemed to throw both boys off further. “That little thief made off with my VireBand chain and her...” She paused, glancing at Isabelle with a smirk. “Her very valuable childhood treasure.”

  “It’s Li Li Lo Porita,” Isabelle said, crossing her arms. “And yes, it’s very valuable. Spiritually.”

  The boys exchanged a quick look, confusion flashing between them. The taller one cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, yeah... well... we need to catch it. We’ve been chasing it all over the park, but it’s way too fast. Can you—uh—help?”

  Isabelle and Amélie exchanged glances. Floette twirled her flower again, ready for action, while Azzy bounced on her tail with a determined squeak.

  “Well,” Amélie said, flashing a grin. “I guess this magical girl doesn’t have to do it alone.” She turned to Isabelle. “What do you say, Isabelle? Ready to play hero?”

  Isabelle groaned but nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s get my keychain—and your artistic masterpiece—back.”

  “Great!” the shorter boy said, his enthusiasm momentarily overriding his awkwardness.

  With Azurill and Floette leading the charge, the group hastily regrouped. The two boys introduced themselves nervously—Roy, the shorter, heavier one with round cheeks flushed red from exertion, and Jake, the taller and lankier of the pair, who seemed to struggle deciding whether to make eye contact or blend into the scenery.

  “I’m Roy Travis,” the shorter boy mumbled, adjusting his cap nervously. “And this is Jake. Uh… we’re from your school. Different class, though.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jake gave a small wave, his voice barely above a murmur. “Hi.”

  Amélie tilted her head, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Oh, really? You go to Lumora Academy? What class?”

  “C-Class,” Roy answered, his words tumbling out awkwardly. “Not, like, A or B. You know, the fancy sections.” He trailed off, his gaze darting between Amélie and Isabelle, lingering nervously before flicking to the ground. “Not like you two.”

  Isabelle raised an eyebrow, her expression blank but inwardly groaning. Great, they think we’re untouchable just because we sit closer to the front of the school’s pecking order.

  Amélie, however, gave Roy an easy smile. “A class is a class. We’re all Trainers—or soon-to-be Trainers—right? Anyway, speaking of which, we’re all in the same boat now. We’ve gotta get that sneaky little thief!”

  Roy brightened slightly at her words, but Jake still looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Isabelle stayed quiet, unsure how to handle the boys’ nervous energy. Amélie, unsurprisingly, had no such reservations.

  “So!” Amélie clapped her hands together, making Roy jump. “Let’s talk strategy. Did you see where the Purrloin went?”

  “It—it ran toward the plaza,” Jake stammered, gesturing vaguely toward the path behind them. “It’s fast. We couldn’t keep up.”

  Roy sighed, fidgeting with the edge of his hoodie. “It got my wallet. My mom’s gonna kill me if I lose another one.”

  “Another one?” Amélie asked, raising an eyebrow. “How many wallets have you lost?”

  “Three,” Roy admitted, his face darkening further. “The last one had a chain, but it broke.”

  Isabelle couldn’t help herself. “Maybe you should switch to a fanny pack.”

  Roy blinked, unsure if she was serious. “Do they even make those anymore?”

  Amélie giggled, nudging Isabelle. “Be nice. He’s just having a bad day.” She turned to the boys, her tone bright and confident. “Alright, here’s what we’ll do. Isabelle and I have Floette and Azurill. They can help track that Purrloin. Stick with us, and we’ll figure this out together.”

  Jake looked skeptical. “You think they can actually find it?”

  “Of course,” Amélie replied without hesitation. She crouched down to Floette, who twirled her flower dramatically. “Floette’s great at finding things, aren’t you, girl?”

  Floette gave a determined nod, her petals glinting in the sunlight. Azzy chirped in agreement, bouncing on her tail.

  “See?” Amélie said, straightening. “We’ve got this.”

  The boys exchanged glances before nodding reluctantly. Roy tried to muster some enthusiasm, but his nervousness around the girls was still obvious. “Okay, uh, thanks. We—uh—we owe you.”

  Isabelle sighed, already feeling the weight of social awkwardness creeping in. “Let’s just find the Purrloin.”

  They made their way toward Neon Plaza, weaving through the bustling crowds. Vendors called out to passersby, offering everything from glowing trinkets to freshly baked PokéPuffs. A street performer juggled neon rings while his Mr. Mime mimicked the act, drawing laughter from a gathering of children. The massive Trainer Wall flickered overhead, displaying highlights from recent Glow Dome battles.

  Amélie, ever the social butterfly, kept the conversation going. “So, do you two have Pokémon of your own yet?”

  Roy shook his head, his expression sheepish. “Not yet. We’re still saving up for the League Circuit.”

  Jake added quietly, “We need to pass the Pokeschool exam first.”

  “Well, don’t worry,” Amélie said, grinning. “Today, you’ve got Floette and Azurill on your side. Consider this your first unofficial mission!”

  Roy managed a nervous laugh, and Jake’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though he still avoided direct eye contact with either girl.

  Isabelle, meanwhile, kept her eyes scanning the plaza for any sign of the thief. “You’d think a Purrloin darting through here with stolen jewelry and wallets would stand out,” she muttered.

  Her mental projection appeared beside her, now sporting a detective’s trench coat and magnifying glass. “Let me guess,” it said dryly. “The Purrloin has an ability called Disguise. Oh wait, that’s Mimikyu. My bad.”

  “Not helpful,” Isabelle whispered under her breath.

  “What’s that?” Jake asked, blinking at her.

  “Nothing,” Isabelle said quickly, her cheeks flushing.

  They paused to question a vendor selling neon Pokémon jewelry. The woman frowned, adjusting her glittering bangles. “Yeah, I saw a Purrloin earlier. Little rascal snatched something shiny from my stand and took off toward the side streets.”

  “Sounds about right,” Isabelle muttered, rubbing her temples. “This thing’s running circles around us.”

  Amélie placed her hands on her hips, grinning. “Then it’s a good thing we’re persistent.”

  Floette twirled her flower again, pointing it toward an alleyway that cut between two tall buildings. Azurill bounced excitedly beside her, chirping as if to confirm the direction.

  Isabelle hesitated, her gaze narrowing as she peered into the dimly lit alley. “That’s either a clue or a trap.”

  Roy adjusted his cap nervously. “Should we… really go in there?”

  Jake nodded reluctantly. “It’s worth a shot. If it means getting our stuff back…”

  Amélie waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. We’ve got Floette and Azurill. Nothing we can’t handle.”

  Isabelle sighed, glancing at the boys. “You two coming?”

  Roy nodded quickly, though his face betrayed his apprehension. “Y-yeah. Let’s do it.”

  As they stepped into the alley, the dim light revealed the culprits: a small family of Purrloin. The feline Pokémon of varying sizes perched on crates and scattered debris, their eyes gleaming warily. The largest Purrloin, clearly the leader, held its tail high, flicking it as if issuing a silent warning to the intruders. Shiny trinkets glinted in the faint light—watches, bracelets, and two unmistakable keychains rested among the stash. Isabelle’s Li Li Lo Porita keychain caught the light, and she clenched her fists. Seriously? Her mental projection appeared beside her, cracking knuckles dramatically. Time to throw hands with some thieves.

  “Alright,” Isabelle muttered, half to herself, “I’m not above fighting a Purrloin. Hand over my childhood!” She stepped forward, but Amélie quickly grabbed her arm.

  “Whoa, Isabelle,” Amélie said, her tone both amused and alarmed. “Let’s not go full action hero just yet.” She gestured toward the Purrloins. “They look scared.”

  “They look guilty,” Isabelle countered, though she hesitated as she took in the wary glances the Purrloins cast their way. The smaller ones huddled close to the larger one, their ears pinned back. Isabelle sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Fine. But what do we do?”

  Before anyone could answer, Azurill—Azzy to Isabelle—bounced forward, her tail bobbing behind her. Floette floated beside her, twirling her flower as if signaling she was ready to take the lead. The two Pokémon approached the Purrloins with slow, careful movements.

  “Azurru! Rill-ru-ru!” Azurill chirped, her tone surprisingly firm.

  “Flooo! Ette ette Flo!” Floette added, her petals shimmering softly.

  The lead Purrloin narrowed its eyes, stepping forward to meet them. “Purr-loin,” it growled, its voice low and cautious. The smaller Purrloins meowed hesitantly behind it, glancing between their leader and the two Pokémon.

  [If you want to read what the Pokemon are actually saying.]

  Azurill (Azzy): "Alright, listen up, whiskers! You’ve got about ten seconds to return our humans’ stuff, or I’m gonna... I don’t know, bounce so hard it’s gonna start raining bubbles! And trust me, you don’t want that drama." Azzy puffed herself up, her tail wagging as if daring the Purrloin to argue.

  Purrloin Leader: "Humans. Always crying over their shiny little trinkets. Why should we give anything back? They don’t need it." The Purrloin leader flicked its tail dismissively, its tone dripping with disdain.

  Azurill: "Uh, excuse me, they absolutely need it. My human has exactly one magical girl keychain, and it’s basically the cornerstone of her emotional stability. You want to deal with a sobbing human? Didn’t think so."

  Floette: "We understand you’re struggling. Perhaps there’s a way to—"

  Azurill: "Floette, I got this. Go spin your flower or something." Azzy turned back to the Purrloin leader, her gaze sharp. "Look, I get it. Life’s rough. You’re out here, dodging humans, scraping by, trying to keep your family fed. But this? This isn’t the way to do it. Stealing only makes things worse."

  Purrloin Leader: "What do you know about survival? You’re pampered, carried everywhere. Humans dote on you like some prized toy."

  Azurill: "Oh, please. You think I don’t know what it’s like to be underestimated? Everyone calls me ‘cute’ and ‘adorable’—like I don’t have layers. But you know what I’ve got that you don’t? Standards. If you want respect, you don’t swipe people’s stuff. You earn it."

  Purrloin Leader: "Humans have never given us anything but grief. Why should we care what they think?"

  Azurill: "Because they’re not all bad, alright? My human isn’t perfect, but she’s got heart. And your family deserves better than shiny scraps. You’re better than this. Give the stuff back, and maybe next time we can find a way to help. No tricks, no strings. Just... something better. Deal?"

  The Purrloin leader’s ears twitched as it stared at Azzy, clearly weighing her words. After a long pause, it huffed and flicked its tail. The other Purrloins, after a few hesitant glances, began bringing the stolen items forward.

  Purrloin Leader: "Fine. Take your things. But don’t expect me to thank you for this little speech."

  Azurill: "Thank me? Oh no, this was just me being fabulous as usual." Azzy bounced forward, her tail wagging triumphantly. "But hey, glad we could sort this out like civilized Pokémon. You’re welcome."

  Floette: "Thank you for returning the items. Trust is a first step toward understanding."

  Purrloin Leader: "Don’t push your luck." It flicked its tail again, turning back to its family.

  After a few more exchanges of Pokémon chatter, the lead Purrloin flicked its tail, and one of the smaller ones scampered forward. It nudged the stolen keychains and other items toward Azurill and Floette, who carefully collected them.

  Amélie crouched down beside Isabelle, watching in awe. “Are they... negotiating?”

  “Apparently,” Isabelle said, her voice tinged with disbelief. She blinked as Azzy chirped again, her tail wagging triumphantly as she rolled the keychains back toward her Trainer. Isabelle picked hers up, her fingers brushing over the worn edges of the Li Li Lo Porita charm. “I can’t believe it. Azzy just... handled that?”

  “She’s a natural negotiator,” Amélie said with a grin, holding up her handcrafted chain. “And Floette’s a great backup. Teamwork, right?”

  Isabelle stared at Azzy, who bounced happily back toward her. “You negotiated with Purrloins,” she said, her voice flat. “You negotiated with Purrloins.”

  Azzy squeaked proudly, her tail wagging as if to say, Of course I did.

  Amélie stood and turned toward the Purrloins, who were gathering their remaining shiny trinkets. “Hey,” she called out, her tone gentle but firm. “You don’t have to live like this, you know. Stealing’s wrong, but if you need help...” She hesitated before continuing. “My family runs a boutique—Lévesque Creations. If you’re ever in trouble or need a place to go, stop by. We’ll figure something out.”

  Isabelle blinked at her. “Do you seriously think they understand you?”

  Amélie glanced over her shoulder with a knowing smile. “Pokémon always have a way of understanding us. Even when we’re different species. That’s what makes them special.”

  Isabelle looked down at Azzy, who chirped softly and nestled against her leg. “Yeah,” she murmured. “I guess you’re right.”

  The Purrloins finished gathering their meager belongings, casting a few hesitant glances back at the group before vanishing into the shadows. Isabelle clutched her keychain tightly, feeling a mix of relief and something she couldn’t quite name.

  “Thanks,” Roy said suddenly, breaking the quiet. He looked genuinely grateful, though his nervousness hadn’t faded. “We... we couldn’t have done this without you two. Honestly.”

  Jake nodded, his gaze still darting between the girls like he wasn’t sure if they were real. “Yeah. Thanks. Seriously.”

  Amélie waved them off with a cheerful smile. “No problem! It was a team effort.”

  Jake hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Isabelle. “But... wait. Why are you in school if you already have a Pokémon? Isn’t that... uncommon?”

  Isabelle felt her mental projection smirk beside her, pointing a neon arrow at her labeled BEGINNER. She groaned inwardly, her shoulders sagging. “Long story,” she muttered, already feeling her social battery hitting critical levels. “It’s... complicated.”

  Amélie stepped in smoothly, giving the boys an apologetic smile. “She’s just out of energy, that’s all. It’s been a long day. But hey, good luck with your Pokémon exams! You’ll do great.”

  Roy and Jake exchanged glances before nodding quickly. “Thanks,” Roy said, rubbing the back of his neck. “And, uh... see you at school, I guess?”

  Amélie waved as they left, their awkward shuffling making Isabelle sigh with relief. “I thought they’d never stop talking.”

  “They weren’t that bad,” Amélie teased, bumping Isabelle’s shoulder lightly. “Besides, we’re heroes now. We saved the day!”

  “Heroes, huh?” Isabelle muttered, eyeing her keychain. “Well, this magical girl’s ready for a break.”

  “Then let’s grab drinks,” Amélie said brightly. “Gleaming Café? My treat.”

  “Fine,” Isabelle said, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

  By the time they reached the Gleaming Café, Isabelle felt herself relaxing. The cool air and soft golden light of the café wrapped around them like a soothing balm as they ordered their drinks and found a corner table.

  Isabelle leaned back in her chair, her head tilted toward Amélie. “You know, I’m pretty sure those two thought we were, like, way out of their league. I got major ‘maybe if we stick around these cute girls, we’ll be popular’ vibes.”

  Amélie snorted into her drink. “Definitely. Poor guys. They probably thought they’d catch cooties just talking to us.”

  “Cooties?” Isabelle smirked. “Is that still a thing?”

  “With them? Absolutely.” Amélie grinned, taking another sip of her drink. “But hey, you have to admit—today was kind of fun. Admit it.”

  Isabelle sighed, a small laugh escaping her lips. “Yeah, fine. It wasn’t the worst.”

  “High praise,” Amélie teased, raising her glass. “To saving the day!”

  “To saving the day,” Isabelle echoed, clinking her glass against Amélie’s with a reluctant smile.